Tartan-tinted English town Corby queues up for mini indy ref poll

The Northamptonshire town of Corby is a ‘mini-Scotland’ we asked the populace for their views on the referendum.

Passing by the tiny town of Titchmarsh presumably named after the famous unionist and gardener Alan on the way to Corby should’ve been a sign.

Last week the Northamptonshire town held its annual Highland Gathering. And to spice up the event the good people of Corby decided to hold a ‘mock referendum’ on independence.

The town has a tartan tint because thousands of Scots flocked there last century to work in the steel works. How Scottish is it?

It must be the only fete in England that has not one but three stalls selling tablet and the burger bar has a fridge stocked with nothing but Irn Bru.

And then there’s the constant skirl of the pipes, for this is also the setting for the biggest pipe band and Highland dancing competitions outside Scotland. Or so they claim.

The only thing more popular than music and the dancing was the poll.

Andy Nichol, resplendent in a Saltire blue simmit, was one of the few who cast his vote for Yes.

He explained: “I think Scotland will do better if it makes its own decisions, they’ll do better at controlling immigration. This government lets anyone move here.”

Andy moved to Corby in 1967. Others proud to display their Scots heritage included Elaine Buchan and Liz Swinburne who was keen to let it be known her maiden name was Buchanan both born in Corby to Scottish parents. They both voted No.

Said Elaine: “Scotland’s too small to be independent. It would just be another Greece.”

Hot weather, holidays on your doorstep, and deep fried octopus? Alex Salmond would love to be able to offer that in return for a Yes vote.

Everyone casting their vote could reel off a list of the big indyref issues Faslane, currency, immigration. Corby is more engaged with the referendum than anywhere else in England, including Westminster.

Perhaps in a sign of things to come on September 18 folk were literally queuing up to vote. But the SNP will be hoping that’s the only similarity.

The result was an overwhelming, and entirely unsurprising given the location, win for No with 72% of the vote.